Hanging Pieces and Piece Values

Chess Learning / Path / Jump-In

Learn the value of each piece and how to spot when a piece is left undefended ("hanging") so you can win it for free.

Why This Matters

Every piece has an approximate value: pawn 1, knight 3, bishop 3, rook 5, queen 9.
Before every move, check: did that move leave a piece where it can be captured for free?
Winning "hanging" pieces is the single easiest way for a beginner to gain an advantage.

Objectives

Recall the approximate value of each piece.
Spot when an opponent's piece has no defender.
Capture hanging pieces instead of missing free material.

Guided Interactive Lesson

Step 0 of 8

Try to play move 1:(Expected idea from lesson line)

Lesson Line

Practice Positions

Find the move yourself — the answer stays hidden until you solve it or reveal it.

Practice 1 of 5

White to move. Black just left a piece undefended — find the free capture.

Practice 2 of 5

White to move. Spot the undefended piece and win it.

Practice 3 of 5

White to move. Which black piece is hanging?

Practice 4 of 5

White to move. Look for a free piece along the diagonals.

Practice 5 of 5

White to move. Black's most valuable piece is undefended — take it!

Mini-Game

Play this position out with a partner. Every time either side moves a piece to a square with no defender, the other side should say "hanging!" and try to win it.

Printable Move-by-Move Boards

Print one board per step to review the full sequence offline.

Open printable version